Joint Press Release on the Panel on the Situation of Migrants at Risk of Torture and other Ill-treatment in Africa: Alternative Approaches

The Secretariat of the African
Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights is pleased to inform the general public
that during the 63rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission, theCommittee for the Prevention of
Torture in Africa (CPTA) and the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers,
Internally Displaced Personsand
Migrants (the Special Rapporteur) organised a panel discussion on the Situation of Migrants at Risk of Torture and other Ill-treatment in
Africa: Alternative Approaches, in collaboration with
the International Detention Coalition (IDC).

The Panel highlighted the general
situation of migrants in Africa; the risk of torture and other ill-treatment of
migrants in detention and the duties of States under the Guidelines and
Measures for the Prohibition and Prevention of Torture, Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment in Africa (the Robben Island Guidelines); alternative
approaches to detention of migrants; and a testimony by Mr Mamina Jallow who
shared his experience of abuse, beatings, and other ill-treatment while travelling
from The Gambia to Libya in hopes of reaching Europe for a better life. He
poignantly described the abuses endured in the countries crossed (Mali,
Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Niger and Libya). Mr Jallow also stated that most
young Africans undertake these dangerous journeys as a result of lack of
economic opportunities in countries of origin.

The following representatives took
the floor: the Arab Republic of Egypt, the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM)
of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, the National Human Rights Commission of the
Republic of Rwanda, Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), Advoc
Aid Sierra Leone, Equality Now – Solidarity for African Women’s Rights (SOAWR)
Coalition, and la ligue marocaine pour les droits de l’homme.

The CPTA and the Special Rapporteur convey their
sincere gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to the Panel discussion,
and remain seized of this important matter.